The Sunnyvale Sun

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District may investigate teacher's resignation

By HUGH BIGGAR

The Fremont Union High School District board is considering an investigation into the events leading to the resignation of a popular teacher.

Monta Vista High School teacher Tim Krieger resigned from the district in July and fellow leadership teacher Melanie Walczak took a leave of absence in June after Krieger's requested job transfer was denied. Krieger had requested to become a guidance resource teacher after teaching biology and leadership for seven years.

When the district rejected Krieger's request, some speculated the denial resulted from an alleged cheating incident seven years ago. At the time, Krieger accused a student of cheating, an accusation later rejected by the district. The student involved is the daughter of the current school board president, Avie Katz, and his wife, Monta Vista guidance resource teacher Cathy Katz.

Since Krieger left the district, Monta Vista students and parents have questioned why the district denied his transfer request.

Board president Katz has said Krieger did not have the certifications needed to be a guidance resource teacher.

The director of the district teachers union and students say this overlooks Krieger's leadership abilities as a teacher and coach. Krieger directed Monta Vista's advanced placement biology class to the top national ranking, coached cross-country and, with Walczak, taught in the school's leadership program.

More than 20 Monta Vista students attended a July 11 board meeting to ask the board to look into the matter. At that meeting, board member Nancy Newton asked for an investigation. The board held a special meeting on the subject July 25 and passed a motion to consider an official investigation.

"We need to establish formal parameters so we know what we are dealing with," Homer Tong, a board member, said at the meeting. Such parameters could include the cost of an investigation and finding independent parties to conduct an inquiry. "This sets the groundwork for an investigation," Tong said.

Ravi Dev, a former student of Krieger's, said he hopes an investigation takes place. "This is about protecting teachers in the district," he said.